Shobana

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia


Shobana
Shobana perfomence (cropped).jpg
Shobana performing at the Kerala High Court in 2009
Born
Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai

(1970-03-21) 21 March 1970 (age 54)[1][2][3]
Trivandrum, Kerala, India
Occupation
  • Actress
  • dancer
  • choreographer
Years active1980–present
Children1
RelativesTravancore family
AwardsPadma Shri (2006)
Websitewww.actressshobana.com

Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai (born 21 March 1970), better known mononymously as Shobana, is an Indian film actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. She acts predominantly in Malayalam films along with Telugu and Tamil films with few Hindi, Kannada and English films. She has won two National Film Awards, one Kerala State Film Awards, Kalaimamani in 2011 and numerous other awards.[4][5][6]

Shobana established herself as a leading actress in 1980s and 1990s. She won the National Film Award for Best Actress twice, for her performances in the Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu (1993) and the English film Mitr, My Friend (2001). Subsequent to the year 1999, Shobana turned extremely selective about her films.[7][8][9][10][11]

Shobana was trained under the Bharata Natyam dancers Chitra Visweswaran and Padma Subrahmanyam. She emerged as an independent performer and choreographer in her twenties and currently runs a dance school, Kalarpana, in Chennai.[7] In 2006, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri for her contributions towards the arts.[12][13] In 2014, the Kerala State Government honoured her with the Kala Ratna Award. In 2019, she was bestowed an honorary doctorate from Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute.[14]

Personal life[edit]

She is the niece of the Travancore sisters – Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini, all of whom were Indian classical dancers and actresses.[15] The actress Sukumari was her paternal aunt. Malayalam actress Ambika Sukumaran is her relative. Malayalam actors Vineeth is her cousin and Krishna is her nephew.[16]

In 2011, Shobana adopted a girl and named her Anantha Narayani.[17][18][19][20]

Career[edit]

Film career[edit]

Shobhana performing Bharathanatyam.

Shobana made her debut as a child artist in the Bollywood film Amar Prem (1972). [21] As an adult, she was introduced to the film industry through the film April 18, by director Balachandra Menon. Her realistic portrayal of a simple girl-next-door appealed to audiences instantly and she went on to work in numerous films. In the same year, she entered the Tamil film industry and acted in Enakkul Oruvan, directed by SP Muthuraman.[8] Enakkul Oruvan didn't do well at the box office and Shobana's commercial landing was stalled and she went back into Malayalam films. She did come back to act in occasional Tamil films opposite Satyaraj (Mallu Vetti Minor, Vaathiyar Veetu Pillai), Bhagyaraj (Ithu Namma Aalu) and Vijayakanth (Ponmana Selvan, En Kitta Mothathey) in the early 90s – these roles were generally glamorous in which Shobana generally acted as the beautiful, posh and haughty city girl who is eventually charmed by the village boy.[22]

Her other major films include Rudraveena (1988), Meleparambil Aanveedu, Kanamarayathu, Ithiri Poove Chuvanna Poove , Yathra, Rangam (1985), Anantaram, Vrutham (1987), Idhu Namma Aalu (1988), Siva (1989), Innale (1990), Thalapathi (1991), Pappayude Swantham Appoos(1992),Manichitrathazhu (1993), Thenmavin Kombath (1994), Mazhayethum Munpe(1995)Dance like a Man (2003), and Makalkku (2005). From Aviduthe Pole Ivideyum to Upaharam, Shobana did sixteen movies in a single year, 1985.[23] Shobana also acted in the Tamil period film Kochadaiiyaan.[5]

Shobana won her first National Film Award for Best Actress in 1994 for her performance in AM Fazil's Manichitrathazhu. Her portrayal of Ganga Nakulan and alter-ego Nagavalli in the film was described by critics as "spell binding".[24] She received her second National Film Award for Best Actress in 2001 for her role in the Indian English language film Mitr, My Friend, directed by Revathi. Consequent to the 1993 National Award, Shobana turned extremely selective about her films.[25]

Classical dance career[edit]

Then President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting the Padma Shri Award to Shobana in New Delhi on 20 March 2006.

Shobana is an accomplished Bharata Natyam dancer.[26] She did her dance training at the Chidambaram academy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu under Chitra Visweswaran. Shobana danced Abhinaya, a pivotal element in Bharata Natyam. She was one among the judges in Jodi No. 1, a reality show for dance aired on Vijay TV.

She started her own dance school, "Kalipinya" in 1989 and got it registered in 1992.[4]

She has worked on collaborative ventures with the likes of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, Vikku Vinayakram and Mandolin Srinivas. Her recitals abroad include those at the World Malayalee convention, in the United States in 1985 and 1995, in Kuala Lumpur before the King and Queen of Malaysia, numerous cities in the United States, Europe, South East Asia and Australia.[27] Shobana started performing in the Soorya Music & Dance festival organised by Soorya Krishnamoorthy from the year 1994.[28] In 1999, Shobana along with Prabhu Deva and A. R. Rahman performed with a Tamil film dancing troupe at the "Michael Jackson and Friends" concert in Munich, Germany. She was also a part of Mani Ratnam's stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai in 2000.

In 1994, Shobana founded a school for classical dance Bharata Natyam in Chennai named Kalarpana.[29]

Filmography[edit]

Shobana performing classical dance in 2014.
Shobana performing in a stage show.

Malayalam[edit]

Year Title Role Sources
1984 April 18 Shobana
1984 Kanamarayathu Sherly
1984 Ithiri Poove Chuvanna Poove Subhadra
1984 Alakadalinakkare Daisy
1985 Avidathepole Ivideyum Sujatha
1985 Vasantha Sena Merlin
1985 Thozhil Allengil Jail
1985 Akkacheyude Kunjuvava Mridula
1985 Meenamasathile Sooryan Revathi
1985 Azhiyatha Bandhangal Geetha
1985 Eeran Sandhya Prabha
1985 Thammil Thammil Kavitha
1985 Anubandham Vijayalakshmi
1985 Ee Thanalil Ithiri Nerum Soudamini
1985 Ee Shabdam Innathe Shabdam Sharada
1985 Ayanam Alice
1985 Yathra Thulasi
1985 Rangam Chandrika
1985 Oru Naal Innorunaal Rajani
1985 Upaharam Maggie Fernandez
1986 Udayam Padinjaru Renu
1986 T. P. Balagopalan M.A. Anitha
1986 Kunjattakilikal Usha
1986 Iniyum Kurukshethram Lekha
1986 Aayiram Kannukal Anu
1986 Ente Entethu Mathrem Ambili
1986 Abhayam Thedi Meera/Miranda
1986 Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku Indu
1986 Aalorungi Arangorungi Geetha
1986 Nyayavidhi Geetha
1986 Ee Kaikalil Viji Balakrishnan
1986 Padayani Radha
1986 Chilambu Ambika
1986 Rareeram Meera
1987 Vrutham Nancy
1987 Nadodikattu Radha
1987 Ithrayum Kaalam Savithri
1987 Kalam Mari Katha Mari Ummu Kolzu
1987 Anantaram Suma, Nalini
1987 Naalkavala Sainabha
1988 Vicharana Anitha
1988 Vellanakalude Nadu Radha
1988 Janmandharam Sridevi
1988 Aryan Aswathy
1988 Aparan Ambili
1988 Dhwani Devi
1988 Oru Vivaada Vishayam
1988 Alila Kuruvikal Bhavana
1988 Mukthi Radhika
1989 Charithram Cicily
1990 Innale Maya/Gowri
1990 Iyer the Great Amala
1990 Sasneham Saraswathi
1990 Kalikkalam Annie
1991 Vasthuhara Young Bhavani
1991 Ulladakkam Annie
1991 Adayalam Malini
1991 Kankettu Sujatha
1992 Oru Kochu Bhoomikulukkam Indu
1992 Naaga Panchami Panchami
1992 Pappayude Swantham Appoos Bhama
1993 Maya Mayuram Bhadra
1993 Meleparambil Aanveedu Pavizham
1993 Golanthara Vartha Lekha
1993 Manichitrathazhu Ganga/Nagavalli
1994 Pavithram Meera
1994 Commissioner Indu Kurup
1994 Thenmavin Kombathu Karthumbi
1994 Pakshe Nandini Menon
1994 Minnaram Neena
1994 Vishnu Susanna Mathews
1994 Manathe Vellitheru Merlin
1995 Sindoora Rekha Arundhathi
1995 Mazhayethum Munpe Uma Maheshwari
1995 Minnaminuginum Minnukettu Radhika
1996 Kumkumacheppu Indu
1996 Aramana Veedum Anjoorekkarum Alli
1996 Rajaputhran Veni
1996 Hitler Gowri
1997 Superman Nithya
1997 Kalyana Kacheri Gopika
1997 Kaliyoonjal Gowri
1999 Agni Sakshi Devaki Manampalli
2000 Sradha Suma
2000 Valliettan Dev
2004 Mambazhakkalam Indira
2005 Makalkku Killeri
2009 Sagar alias Jacky Reloaded Indu
2013 Thira Dr. Rohini Pranab
2020 Varane Avashyamund Neena

Telugu[edit]

Shobana's Maya Ravan performance in Bangalore, which was held on 12 September in 2008.
Year Title Role Sources
1982 Bhakta Dhruva Markandeya Sunithi Devi Debut film
1985 Marana Sasanam Lalitha
1986 Srimathi Kanuka Padma
1986 Vijrumbhana Shobha
1986 Vikram Radha
1986 Marchandi Mana Chattalu Uma
1986 Asthram Padmini
1987 Manushulu Marali Savithri
1987 Muddula Manavudu Hemalatha
1987 Manavadostunnaadu Roopa
1987 Ajeyudu Rekha
1987 Trimurtulu Latha
1988 Rudraveena Lalita Shiva Jyoti
1988 Abhinandana Rani
1988 Praja Pratinidhi Bharathi
1990 Paapa Kosam Swapna
1990 Nari Nari Naduma Murari Shobha
1990 Kokila Kokila
1990 Shourya chakra Bharathi
1990 Neti Siddhartha Jyoti
1990 Alludugaru Kalyani
1991 April 1st Vidudhala Bhuvaneshwari
1991 Appula Appa Rao Subba Laxmi
1991 Rowdy Gaari Pellam Janaki
1991 Minor Raja Santhana Lakshmi
1991 Manchi Roju Padma
1991 Rowdy Alludu Sita
1991 Hello Darling Bharathi
1991 Alludu Diddina Kapuram Sita
1991 Keechu Raallu Monica
1991 Thalapathi sundari
1992 Ahankari Shobana
1992 Asadhyulu Jyoti
1992 Champion Sandhya
1992 Gangwar Pavithra
1993 Rowdy Gaari Teacher Malli
1993 Naga Jyoti Gayathri
1993 Kannayya Kittayya Saroja
1993 Nippu Ravva Guest appearance in a song
1993 Rendilla Poojari Radha
1993 Rakshana Padma
1997 Surya Putrulu Ragini
2006 Game Uma

Tamil[edit]

Year Title Role Sources
1980 Mangala Nayagi -
1980 Manmatha Ragangal -
1984 Enakkul Oruvan Kalpana
1985 Marudhani Marudhani
1988 Oray Thaai Oray Kulam Easwari
1988 Kadhal Geetham Rani
1988 Idhu Namma Aalu Banu
1989 Sattathin Thirappu Vizhaa Radha
1989 Paattukku Oru Thalaivan Shanthi
1989 Siva Parvathy
1989 Ponmana Selvan Parvathy
1989 Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai Geeta
1990 Enkitta Mothathe Mallika
1990 Mallu Vetti Minor Santhana Lakshmi
1990 Sathya Vaakku Meena
1991 Mahamayi Mahamayi
1991 Thalapathi Subhalakshmi
1993 Sivarathiri Gayathri
1996 Thuraimugam Rukkumani
2012 Podaa Podi Veena
2014 Kochadaiiyaan Yaaghavi

Kannada[edit]

Year Title Role Sources
1990 Shivashankar Girija
1985 Giri Baale Neelaveni

Hindi[edit]

Year Title Role Sources
2008 Mere Baap Pehle Aap Anuradha Joshi (Annu)
2007 Apna Asmaan Padmini Kumar
1998 Swami Vivekananda Dancer

English[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2008 A Little Dream Sundar's mother Documentary film about the journey of former Indian President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
2003 Dance Like a Man Ratna Parekh
2002 Mitr, My Friend Lakshmi

Awards and recognitions[edit]

Titles and honours[edit]

Year Honour Honouring body Ref(s)
2000 Grade A Top Doordarshan [30]
2006 Padma Shri Government of India [31][32]
2011 Kalaimamani Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, Government of Tamil Nadu [33]
2012 Arch of Excellence All India Achievers Conference [34][35]
2013 Kalarathna Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy [36]
2015 Global Achievement for Performing Arts All Malaysia Malayalee Association [37]
2019 Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute [14]

Other awards[edit]

Year Awards and nominations Category Film Result
1984 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam Kanamarayathu Nominated
1985 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam Yathra Nominated
1986 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam Chilambu Nominated
1988 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Telugu Rudraveena Nominated
1988 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Tamil Idhu Namma Aalu Nominated
1990 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam Innale Won
1990 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Telugu Alludugaru Nominated
1991 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Telugu Rowdy Gaari Pellam Nominated
1993 National Film Awards National Film Award for Best Actress Manichitrathazhu Won
1993 Kerala State Film Awards Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress Manichitrathazhu Won
1993 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam Manichitrathazhu Nominated
1994 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam Thenmavin Kombath Won
1996 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam Kumkumacheppu Nominated
1999 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam Agnisakshi Nominated
2002 National Film Awards National Film Award for Best Actress Mitr, My Friend Won
2005 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam Makalkku Nominated
2013 Vanitha Film Awards Vanitha Film for Best Actress Thira Won[38]
2013 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam Thira Nominated

Television[edit]

Year Title Channel Language Notes
1991 Penn DD Podhigai Tamil Serial
1999 Uravugal Vijay TV Tamil Serial
2010 Jodi Number one season 5 Vijay TV Tamil Reality show as Judge
2010 Super Jodi Surya TV Malayalam Reality show as Judge
2015 D 3
(Grand finale)		 Mazhavil Manorama Malayalam Reality show as Judge
2017 Midukki Mazhavil Manorama Malayalam Reality show as Judge
2021 Margazhi Thingal YouTube Tamil Music Video[39]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "FB About". Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  2. ↑ Davis, Maggie (15 June 2017). "Malayalam actress Shobana to get hitched at the age of 47?". India.com. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  3. ↑ "Happy Birthday Shobana: Five movies of the actress from 'Manichithrathazhu' to 'Makalkku' that you should watch right away". The Times of India. 21 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "I am an introvert, says Shobana". The Hindu. 29 December 2005 – via www.thehindu.com.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "In pics: Shobana dedicates her dance to 'Krishna'". IBNLive. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  6. ↑ "New Straits Times – Google News Archive Search". google.com. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Metro Plus Bangalore / Personality : Thinking actress". The Hindu. 6 April 2005. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Francis, Sneha May (31 December 2008). "Shobana's mystical twist to an epic". Gulf News. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  9. ↑ Prakash, Asha (28 April 2018). "Shobana: I don't feel bad if I don't act in a film, as long as people are making great films". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  10. ↑ Jayaram, Deepika (5 November 2018). "Shobana extends her support for #MeToo movement". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  11. ↑ Mahadevan, Sangeeta. "SHOBANA - IN FINE FORM". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 3 February 1999. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  12. ↑ "Padma Awards". Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  13. ↑ "Welcome to Sify.com". sify.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Honorary doctorate conferred on CM". The Hindu. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  15. ↑ "About". Archived from the original on 8 September 2011.
  16. ↑ "ജീവിതത്തിന്‌ ഇപ്പോള്‍ എന്തൊരു രുചി...!". mangalam.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  17. ↑ "Women's Day 2016: Popular celebrities who broke all stereotypes and adopted children". Zee News. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  18. ↑ "Shobhana adopts a baby girl". Sify. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  19. ↑ Mahesh, Chitra (1 May 2014). "Life on her own terms". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  20. ↑ Davis, Maggie (16 June 2017). "Is actress Shobana really getting married or is this just a rumour?". India News. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  21. ↑ "സിനിമ എന്ന തേന്മാവിൻ കൊമ്പത്ത്..." ManoramaOnline.
  22. ↑ "In her own groove". The Hindu. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  23. ↑ "In pics: Shobana dedicates her dance to 'Krishna'". IBNLive. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  24. ↑ S.R. Praveen (17 November 2013). "Sequel fails to impress". The Hindu. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  25. ↑ "Shobhana changing track". The Hindu. 3 February 2003. Archived from the original on 1 July 2003. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  26. ↑ "Manorama Online – Movies – News". manoramaonline.com. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  27. ↑ "SHOBANA – exponent of Bharata Natyam – Indian classical performing arts". Artindia.net. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  28. ↑ "Bharathanatyam concert by Padma shri Shobana". Thiraseela.com. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  29. ↑ "BizHat.com – Malayalam Film Actress Shobana k". Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  30. ↑ "About Shobana". lakshmansruthi.com.
  31. ↑ "Padma Awardees". Padma Awards - Ministry of Home Affairs. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  32. ↑ "Padmashri for Shobana". kutcheribuzz.com.
  33. ↑ "Shobana Awards". Shobana.info - Kalarpana. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  34. ↑ "Arch of Excellence". Facebook - All India Achievers Conference. 4 August 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  35. ↑ "AIAC Excellence Awards presented". The Hindu. 28 July 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  36. ↑ "Fellowship List - Dance". Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  37. ↑ "Achievement unlocked". Facebook - The Global Malayalee. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  38. ↑ V.P, Nicy (9 September 2014). "Shobana to Play Lead in 'Thira' Sequel". www.ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  39. ↑ CR, Sharanya; Vijayakumar, Sindhu (7 January 2021). "Nine actresses come together to render Thiruppavai and celebrate the spirit of Margazhi - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 January 2021.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shobana&oldid=141809"